Cruising Iceland (The Icelandic) – Akureyri to Reykjavik

Product Description

Highlights

Icelandic tourism is booming, but it’s still mostly land-based around the famous – yet well-worn – Golden Circle route. We’re the only adventure company offering this unique coastal itinerary.. While bigger cruise liners have to moor out at sea and commute into shore via tender, we’ll drop anchor in the middle of port towns like Akranes or Isafjodur. You can hop on or off the boat as you please.. Sail directly beneath the incredible Latrarbag Cliffs, a sheer 450 metre wall of volcanic rock, home to millions of puffins and northern gannets.. Many land-bound Iceland itineraries never make it to the stunning West Fjordlands, and rarely to the fishing villages of the north coast. You’ll meet native herring fisherman and get a feel for the local way of life.

Overview

Iceland is a country that begs to be explored, and you’ll navigate to hard-to-reach areas, unlocking the secrets of the west coast on this 8-day small ship adventure cruise. Experience rugged landscapes, ancient stories of Vikings and the Norse, and exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. Enjoy the comfort and amazing service aboard the M/S Panorama, as you cast off from Akureyri and cruise past soaring coastal cliffs lined with birds to the far north-western reaches of the island, where few travellers tread. Disembark to learn about Iceland’s unique heritage and culture, exploring historic museums and towns – from tiny fishing villages to the country’s northernmost city Siglufjordur. Walk to waterfalls of the gods, see Europe’s most powerful glacier, choose to visit volcanoes on an isolated island, then dock in fascinating Reykjavik. This cruise will reveal the inspirational, ancient, and untamed beauty of Iceland.

Breakfast Included: 7 Lunches Included: 6 Dinner Included: 7

Trip Dates

Start Date

End Date

Price

Room Type

15-JUN-2019

22-JUN-2019

AU$3610

cATCTWIN

15-JUN-2019

22-JUN-2019

AU$5220

cATCSINGLE

15-JUN-2019

22-JUN-2019

AU$3715

cATBTWIN

15-JUN-2019

22-JUN-2019

AU$5960

cATBSINGLE

15-JUN-2019

22-JUN-2019

AU$4415

cATATWIN

15-JUN-2019

22-JUN-2019

AU$7990

cATASINGLE

29-JUN-2019

06-JUL-2019

AU$3610

cATCTWIN

29-JUN-2019

06-JUL-2019

AU$5220

cATCSINGLE

29-JUN-2019

06-JUL-2019

AU$3715

cATBTWIN

29-JUN-2019

06-JUL-2019

AU$5960

cATBSINGLE

29-JUN-2019

06-JUL-2019

AU$4415

cATATWIN

29-JUN-2019

06-JUL-2019

AU$7990

cATASINGLE

07-SEP-2019

14-SEP-2019

AU$3610

cATCTWIN

07-SEP-2019

14-SEP-2019

AU$5220

cATCSINGLE

07-SEP-2019

14-SEP-2019

AU$3715

cATBTWIN

07-SEP-2019

14-SEP-2019

AU$5960

cATBSINGLE

07-SEP-2019

14-SEP-2019

AU$4415

cATATWIN

07-SEP-2019

14-SEP-2019

AU$7990

cATASINGLE

21-SEP-2019

28-SEP-2019

AU$3610

cATCTWIN

21-SEP-2019

28-SEP-2019

AU$5220

cATCSINGLE

21-SEP-2019

28-SEP-2019

AU$3715

cATBTWIN

21-SEP-2019

28-SEP-2019

AU$5960

cATBSINGLE

21-SEP-2019

28-SEP-2019

AU$4415

cATATWIN

21-SEP-2019

28-SEP-2019

AU$7990

cATASINGLE

Embarkation in Akureyri

Embarkation will take place between 3 and 4pm. We overnight in port with time for an optional late afternoon walking excursion in Akureyri.

Akureyri to Husavik

This morning our full day optional excursion will take you from Akureyri to Husavik (where you will meet the Callisto in the evening).
Leaving Akureyri, we will head for Godafoss, Waterfall of the Gods - one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland; the water of the river Skjalfandafljot falls from a height of 12 m over a width of 30 m. Driving along the shores of Lake Myvatn our next stop is by the unique craters at Skutustadir before enjoying lunch in the area. Dimmuborgir lava labyrinth,is a paradise of towering lava castles, natural arches and countless unexplored grottos and we will spend time exploring the area, before headin to Namaskard thermal field. The gurgling purple and yellow sulphur cauldrons are so hot, they actually boil.
We rejoin the Callisto in Husavik and will spend some time walking around this colourful port. Overnight in port

Siglufjordur

Morning sailing through the Skjafandi Bay to Siglufjordur. As always our Captain will inform you of whales’ sightings.
Midday arrival in Siglufjordur, Iceland’s northernmost city, very close to the Arctic Circle and possibly the most picturesque port of Iceland. Once known as the capital of Herring fishing. The optional walking tour takes you to visit the award-winning Herring Era Museum, with a fun and energetic performance of the herring salting show. You step back in time as herring girls salt and pack herring into barrels under the watchful eye of the manager. Get caught up in the lively accordion music and ring dancing before sampling traditional rye bread, local herring and Icelandic schnapps! Guests will hear a short introduction to the history of the herring fishing industry and be invited to explore the museum’s three buildings. Before heading to the ship we tour the Folk Music Center and learn about Reverend Bjarni’s work in collecting and preserving the country’s musical heritage. The Centre offers a chance to see and hear Icelandic musical instruments from centuries past and the performance of traditional Icelandic folk songs and rhymes.
In the afternoon, we sail for Isafjordur- Overnight at sea

Isafjordur

Morning arrival at Isafjordur, a large fishing port in Wesfjords. Our morning optional excursion will take us from Isafjordur harbour on a drive through the center of Isafjordur and the first stop is made at the outdoor exhibit of Osvor just outside Bolungarvik. Osvor is an old fisherman’s hut that was restored in 1988. Osvor is a perfect example of how life was for Icelandic fishermen until the beginning of the 20th century. From Osvor we drive to Bolungarvik for sightseeing in the village and visit the small church, were you’ll enjoy a music program. From Bolungarvik we drive back to Isafjordur, on the way you will be able to see Buna River and a waterfall in Tunguskogur and sip fresh mountain water that flows down the stream clear and refreshing. We drive around the old streets of Isafjordur and end in the maritime and folk museum. The museum is situated in one of the oldest houses in Isafjordur, beside it are 3 other houses, all from the same area, around 1780, and all well preserved. Icelandic refreshments including a snaps, dried fish and shark (preserved Iceland style) are served on request. This tour gives a good view of the West fjords. It emphasizes on the human side of the struggle to survive in times gone by, the beautiful but sometimes harsh landscape of the West fjords and the life of the inhabitants in recent times.
Overnight at Isafjordur, Iceland.

Bildudalur

Morning optional excursion from Isafjordur to Bildudalur. The Callisto sails -without passengers who are joining the excursion - to Bildudalur. On the optional excursion, we will see the breathtaking scenery of the West fjords, harsh landscape, sharp mountain ridges, deep and beautiful fjords where the farmers and the villages cuddle together on a narrow strip of land. The West fjords are a favorite among many and for those who experience those fjords for the first time, are completely amazed of this mesmerizing and mystical scenery. Drive to Dynjandi waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. There is a bit of a walk up to the waterfall, but for those who want to see it up close are in for a treat, as they will also see smaller waterfalls surrounding Dynjandi. The bus takes us back to Bildudalur, where the elusive sea creatures have been given a worthy home at the Icelandic Sea Monster Museum. With a lively mix of words, images and videos, an action-packed multimedia display that culminates in a spectacular interactive plinth, the first of its kind in Iceland First-hand accounts from eye-witnesses, are joined on-screen by academic theories on the nature of sea monsters, while a variety of relics and artifacts relating to this mysterious branch of zoology appear throughout the museum as tangible evidence for their existence. From the museum a short walk will take us back to the ship through the little town of Bíldudalur. We rejoin the Callisto in port and sail South after lunch, cruising around the Westford coast line and sail past the Latrarbag cliffs which rise 450 m over the sea .Overnight at sea.

Akranes

This morning we reach Akranes and disembark for our full day Optional excursion to Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful thermal spring and to the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls area. We will stop in Reykholt which was at one time one of the intellectual centers of the island and had for many years one of the most important schools of the country. Here lived in the Middle Ages one of the most important persons in Icelandic history: Snorri Sturluson. He was a famous poet and politician whose records of the Old Norse language and mythology of medieval Iceland are invaluable to modern scholars. He lived and died here. Remains of his farm and a bathroom with hot pot and a tunnel between the bath and the house can still be visited. In the afternoon we rejoin the ship and sail to the Westfjords. Overnight at sea to Heimaey - Westmann Islands.

Reykjavik

We arrive in Reykjavik this morning, in time for an optional excursion. After seeing the sites of the city, we head out to the volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula. We visit Vikingaheimar (Viking World) to learn about the Viking settlement of Iceland and Norse mythology before visiting the geothermal fields of Krysuvik.
Overnight in port in Reykjavik.